Chapter 6: Has Something Happened to the Landlord?

“Zijin, you lazy oaf… I want something delicious… Go make it for me, now…” In the early morning, while Wang Jinjun was still murmuring in her sleep, Zijin was already up. The fragrant aroma of food and the sizzling sound of oil drifting from the kitchen were all the proof needed—Zijin was making breakfast for Wang Jinjun.

“Young lady, if you sleep any longer, you’ll turn into an old spinster. Hurry up and eat your breakfast.” Carrying a tray of breakfast, Zijin knocked gently on Wang Jinjun’s door and spoke softly.

When there was no response from inside, Zijin shook his head, turned, and walked into the living room, picking up today’s newspaper. The headline leaped out at him: “Fifteenth Animal Attack Incident in the City!” Beneath it were several photographs depicting the very scene where Zijin had experienced his accident the previous day. Instantly alert, Zijin carefully read every word of the report, afraid to miss any crucial detail.

“Last night, a traffic accident occurred in the city, resulting in two injuries and one fatality. At the scene, police discovered collision marks on the lower left rear of the maglev truck inconsistent with a typical traffic accident. A small amount of animal fur was found, initially identified as insect bristles. Police suspect that this accident may be connected to the recent series of animal attacks and are intensifying their investigation.”

Frowning at the article, Zijin tried hard to recall what had happened before he lost consciousness the previous night. “Another animal attack…” Anyone could see that these incidents, occurring one after another, must be connected. Zijin knew it too, but what puzzled him even more was the strange changes that had come over him since he became involved.

Just as Zijin was deep in thought, a deafening crash from outside interrupted him.

The noise jolted Wang Jinjun awake from her deep sleep. She opened her door, still in her pajamas, leaned against the frame, rubbing her eyes, and muttered softly to Zijin, “Zijin… do you have to make so much noise just to make breakfast? You woke me up…”

“Don’t speak.” Before Wang Jinjun could finish, Zijin immediately cut her off, signaling with his eyes for her to stay silent. Wang Jinjun was about to throw a fit, but at his look, she shut her mouth. Following Zijin’s gaze, she was horrified to find that the door to their rented apartment was twisted out of shape.

The door had caved inward at an alarming angle, as if struck by a giant’s fist. Cracks spiderwebbed across its surface, and the source of the crash was clear—something had smashed into the door. Splinters of wood littered the warped frame, making both Zijin and Wang Jinjun cough from the dust.

“What… is going on…” Before Zijin could react, dark red liquid began to seep slowly from the cracks in the door. Suddenly, with a thunderous crash, the door fell inward. As the thing behind the door was revealed, terror and panic washed over both of them.

Behind the door lay a gruesome heap of human flesh, the body so mangled it was barely recognizable as human. Yet, with careful attention, one could make out a once-white undershirt now stained deep crimson, a pair of trademark floral shorts, and battered flip-flops. In the corpse’s hand was a mobile phone, its screen shattered and bent beyond repair. There could be no doubt—this was their landlord, Brother Hao.

A shrill scream rang out from the rented apartment! It wasn’t long before a patrol car arrived, the fresh scene of carnage drawing a crowd of gawking neighbors.